BURNHAM-on-Sea MP James Heappey has joined forces with dozens of MP's to encourage the Government to adopt the Irish law on travellers. 

Mr Heappey has been campaigning for tougher laws on travellers as over the last two years there have been illegal encampments in Berrow, Burnham-on-Sea, Shepton Mallet, Street and Brean. 

If the Irish law was to be implemented deliberate trespassing would become a criminal offence and could be dealt with by the police, with the support of local authorities.

Mr Heappey and a number of supporting MPs have written to James Brokenshire MP, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, asking for consideration of this proposal to give local authorities – and the police – additional powers to tackle the problem.

Mr Heappey said: “Travellers in the Wells constituency have cost local councils thousands of pounds as a result of legal action, as well as clear-up operations following antisocial behaviour.

“In Somerset we have had far too many illegal encampments. The Irish Law has proven very successful and I would like to see it – or something similar here.”